"What was it all about?" asked Herbert, unperturbed.
"Yes. That was about it," he answered. "Only this time I tried to bag a government and got locked up for my pains. One of your countrymen"--and he nodded toward me--"was mixed up in it. By the way"--and he rose from his chair--"you don't mind my taking this candle, do you?--I've been looking at something in that cabinet over there all the evening and I can't stand it any longer. I may be wrong, but they look awfully like it."
He had reached the carved triptych, and was holding the flame of the candle within a few inches of a group of tiny figures--some of Lemois' most precious carvings--one the figure of a man with a gun.
"Just as I thought. Prison work, isn't it, Monsieur Lemois? Yes--of course it is--I see the tool marks. Made of soup bones. Oh, very good indeed--best I have ever seen. Where did you get this?"
"They were made by the French prisoners in Moscow," answered Lemois, who had also risen from his seat and was now standing beside him. "But how did you know?" he asked in astonishment. "Most of my visitors, if they look at them at all, think they are Chinese."
"Because no one, if he can get ivory, makes a thing like this of bone"--and he held it up to our gaze--"and everybody out of jail who has this skill _can_ get ivory. I've made a lot myself--never as fine as these--this man must have been an expert. I used to keep from going crazy by doing this sort of thing--that and the old dodge of taming fleas so they'd eat out of my hand. What a pile of good stuff you have here--regular museum"--and with a searching, comprehensive glance he replaced the candle and regained his chair.
"We've entertained all sorts of people here," I said with a laugh, "but I think this is the first time we have ever had an out-and-out ticket-of-leave man. Do you mind telling us how it happened?"
"No; but it wouldn't interest you. Just one of those fool scrapes a fellow gets into when he is chucked out neck and heels into the world."
Brierley drew his chair closer--so did Louis and Le Blanc.
Herbert glanced toward his friend. "Let them have it, old man. We promise not to set the dogs on you."
"Thanks. But it wouldn't be the first time. Well, all right if it won't bore you. Now let me think"--and he lifted his weather-bronzed face, made richer by the glow of the candles overhead, and began scratching his grizzly beard with his forefinger.